Reunion

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CHAPTER 5

Her heart clenched at the thought of hall her mother's suffering. The only thing she had was a once in a while checkup call her mother did to her.

Indeed her father had taken away from her too much.

The door pulled open and standing before her was a lady in her late forties. She looked older than her age though with more white hair than her ex-husband.

Just gazing at her mother, her heart fell and the tears she had managed to tuck away began to flow again.

"My little Ren?"

"Ma."

"My little Ren. Oh my, darling!"

Quickly she stepped out and enveloped her young daughter in a bear hug. "My Ren…" the more she spoke, the more she cried as she embraced her little gem.

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~INSIDE~

Seeing her daughter like this indeed broke Jiang Meilin's heart. That crooked husband of hers failed.

She wished the judges could see this now and see that she was the better bet.

For a while, neither of them spoke but just tearfully gazed at each other.

It happened for a while until finally, she spoke.

"Mother, I am sorry. I am so sorry for bringing you shame and disgrace and I…"

"Shhh!"

Before Bai Renxiang could understand what was happening, she was enveloped into another hug again. "Shh, say no more. I know my child is not a slut as they all say. I trust you. I understand. Calm down, cry on my shoulders, mother is here."

Getting her to go ahead, Bai Renxiang poured out her heart and wailed on her mother's shoulders.

After another fifteen minutes of continuously prolonged weeping, she calmed down and pulled away from the hug.

"Now, let's talk."

"Mother, I didn't do it."

"I know. I decided to check the news today since I failed to all day yesterday when I was busy in the garden, only to see that nonsense they dared post about you on the news. And your useless father did nothing!"

He was already fuming with rage but decided not to shock her daughter too much and paused.

"I am sorry about my outburst. So in anger, I called the house and that woman answered the call. She apologized about not inviting me for their wedding and all nonsense as though I asked to be invited in the first place."

"It is okay ma."

"No, it is not. How dare her?! Who does she think she is? Since she came into your father's life, our lives have been miserable and that blind man doesn't see her for who she is."

She took in deep breaths and when she was calmer, she smiled dryly at her daughter.

"So I warned her to deliver the message to her husband, that if anything were to happen to you, he would surely pay and by my hands, then I ended the call. Who would have thought that nincompoop would drive you from his house, company and life? Has he no shame?"

"It is okay ma. At least, now I am free from his shackles."

"Yes, but you suffered so much my dear."

They both kept quiet and she pulled her daughter closer in her arms as she patted her on the back. "It is going to be alright now. Mama is here for you."

'What happened? Who did her little Ren offend to make them damage her reputation so greatly?' Jiang Meilin questioned within her.

"Mum, promise me that won't abandon me too." Bai Renxiang said out of the blue.

"I promise to never leave you no matter what. I promise to be strong for you as a mother, a sister and a friend. I promise that we will fight our way out of this mess together and I will be with you in every step that you take. I promise with all my heart and I love you, sweetie," Jiang Meilin promised.

Right now she does not need to be bothered about her Bai Guiren's failure to protect her baby. All she should be caring for is her daughter. Yes, she would focus her full attention on her and help her get over everything.

After calming Bai Renxiang down, Jiang Meilin helped her settle down in the empty room directly opposite hers. She prepared a warm bath for Bai Renxiang and left the room to the kitchen to prepare food for them to eat since it was getting darker by the minute.

Bai Renxiang let her gaze wander through the interior of the room. There was a Queen Size bed backing the wall with its headboard.

A dressing table at a corner of the room with a mirror, a wooden wardrobe attached to the wall. The ocean blue and white paint of the room made her feel warm and at peace.

Tossing off her clothes, Bai Renxiang made her way to the bathroom and immersed herself in the hot bath. Once her body made contact with the water, all tensed muscles relaxed. All her worries cooled down with the water.

Her mother really knew what she needed at the moment. Spending some time in the bath, she cleaned dried herself and put on a set of cotton loosed pants that covered her ankles and a baggie top that matched the pants. It was a flower designed pyjama.

After freshening up, she made her way to the kitchen to help her mother.

Turning towards the entrance, Jiang Meilin caught her daughter watching her. "Well you look like a freshly baked apple pie," she commented playfully.

"Mum stop flattering me. I'm no apple not to talk of the pie," Bai Renxiang replied blatantly and smiled. She knew her mum was trying to elevate her mood and it was working a little.

"On second thought, are you making an apple pie?"

Nodding her head, her mother said, "I thought since you will be living with me, I should welcome you with your favourite foods."

"Really? You made fried steak, meatballs and apple pie?" Bai Renxiang asked in glee.

"Yep, I did. Now quit smiling foolishly and help me carry the dishes to the table. I just need to do a little touch up on the pie."

"Alright. Damn, I suddenly feel so hungry. I have not eaten my favourites in years."